Journey across the highest part of the Andes in style!An eight day tour of South America’s high mountain region, starting in Bolivia and ending up in Peru, and taking in both sides of Lake Titicaca along the way.
Day 1: La Paz: Arrival
Upon arrival in La Paz, we check into the hotel and the rest of the day is free to acclimatize to the world’s highest capital city and explore.
Day 2: La Paz: City Tour & Valley of the Moon
This morning, we take tour of La Paz visiting the Main Square (Plaza Murillo), San Francisco church, the Witches Market, the Precious Metals Museum and the Killi Killi Watchtower.
Following the city tour, we visit the amazing geological shapes of the Valley of the Moon, a lunar landscape on the outskirts of the city, before returning to La Paz.
We overnight in La Paz.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: La Paz – Copacabana
This morning, we depart La Paz, travelling by bus to Copacabana.
On arrival in Copacabana, we have lunch in Khota Kahuana Restaurant.
In the afternoon, a visit the beautiful baroque-Moorish style Virgen de la Candelaria Church and the nearby handicraft market is recommended. If you are feeling energetic you can also climb the hill to The Calvary, which is a unique monument merging native religious beliefs and Christianity.
In the evening, we have dinner at the spectacularly-located Hotel Rosario del Lago.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Lake Titicaca: Island of the Sun: Yumani – Challapampa
This morning, we take a boat from Copacabana to Yumani, from where we take a four hour hike along the ancient Inca paths, travelling South to North, experiencing marvellous views of the lake. A packed lunch is provided for the hike.
In the afternoon we will arrive at the Chinkana Incan Temple and Sacred Rock. Hiking a little further we reach Challapampa, which is a charming village with a small, local Inca museum.
From Challapampa, we return by motorboat to Copacabana.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 5: Copacabana – Puno
Today, we make the drive along the shores of Lake Titicaca from Copacabana to Puno, across the border in Peru, admiring both sides of this immense lake along the way.
Upon arrival in Puno, we check into our hotel, and have the rest of the day free.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Lake Titicaca
Today we spend the day on the world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca. First, we get the opportunity to visit the unique, man-made, floating reed islands of Uros to get an impression of how the Aymara-speaking locals have lived for centuries.
Then we make our way to Taquile Island, where time appears to have stood still. Around 350 families live here, operating a collective agricultural system dating from the 14th Century and renowned for their textiles - beautifully woven chumpis (belts), chullos (caps), and ojotas (sandals). The views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real mountains in Bolivia overlooking the lake are the icing on the cake!
Upon return to Puno, the evening is free for the brave to sample some local cuisine: guinea pig (known locally as cuy) perhaps? Or maybe an alpaca steak?
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 7: Puno – Cusco
After breakfast, today is spent on the jaw dropping ride across the altiplano to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. This drive will take us through sleepy Andean villages, past spectacular snow capped mountains, sheer cliffs and rampaging rivers. Stops along the way include the atmospheric towns of Pucara and Andahuaylillas, and the pre-Inca ruin of Raqchi.
We arrive in the famous city of Cusco in the early evening.
Please note that on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday it is possible to upgrade to the Andean Explorer first-class train service.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 8: Cusco: End of services
This tour ends this morning after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast
Why not combine this tour with one of our excellent Cusco or Machu Picchu trips, such as Cusqueñita or Classic Cusco, which includes the famous Inca Trail?
Or if you fancied visiting the Amazon jungle, you could spend time in Bolivia’s little-visited Amazon jungle at Rurrunebaque accessible from La Paz. Alternatively, from Cusco, you could explore the Manu or the Tambopata National Reserves.
To find out how, just send us an email at info@chimuadventures.com.
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